The Antiphon MC Drive is the step-up transformer that functions to pre-amplify the incoming music signal from a moving coil cartridge before RIAA equalization. The MC Drive was developed to realize the most accurate and musical phono-signal reproduction in a Hi-Fi music system. In the course of development, it fully utilized the world-best transformer technology of Antiphon Audio Lab to outperform any existing phono transformers whether currently being produced or remained as a legend. For example, 614B and 614A transformers of Western Electric were closely compared to evaluate the performance of our MC Drive in terms of frequency extension, wide-spectrum linear amplification response, noise rejection, tonality conservation, musicality, etc. We at the Antiphon Audio Lab believe that the MC Drive satisfied the strictest criteria and the most demanding requirements to achieve the status of the world best MC step-up transformer. We now proudly present the MC Drive to the worldwide analogue lovers for their ultimate analogue reproduction of phono music signal.

The MC Drive contains a pair of ultra-precision hand wound transformers to amplify a delicate phono signal up to the level of MM phono signal (usually 5 - 10 mV). In a traditional sense, it functions like a head phonoamplifier that boosts up a miniscule MC cartridge signal before a phono preamp handles the MC cartridge signal. Unlike other designers and manufacturers, the MC Drive employs only one pair of transformers for a single MC cartridge. The reason is that multiple transformers and impedance matching circuitry rather do more harm than benefit for purest music reproduction. Acknowledging the delicacy and tenderness of a MC phono signal, amplifying passage must be pure and simple, avoiding switching contacts and electric part interference. At the same time, the amplification ratio of a transformer must properly match with the signal strength of a MC cartridge in order to prepare the phono signal for RIAA equalization. For this purpose, the MC Drive can be supplied with a pair of transformers that have one amplification ratio among three amplifying levels: low, middle and high. The high amplifying level is suitable for a MC cartridge with or less that 0.3 mV output, while the middle amplifying level for a MC cartridge with 0.3 to 0.4 mV output and the low level for a MC cartridge with or higher than 0.4 mV output. The end result is that the MC Drive amplifies a MC phono signal up to 10 mV for proper RIAA equalization, preserving the musical purity and originality at the maximum level.

The chassis of the MC Drive is given the most demanding attention to control vibration as well as to exhibit the beauty of world-class handcraft artistry. The MC Drive has a double structured chassis. The inner chassis is made of entirely milled aluminum block that guarantees the massiveness and inertia of the transformer holding structure. The outer chassis is made of a ten-year matured Western African Bubinga wood. It is hand-rubbed and polished to expose wood¡¯s natural texture, pattern, and luster. This wood chassis is repeatedly steam-pressurized for highest rigidity in order to prevent deforming. The final decoration is added through super-polished stainless plates for the front facade and the top side.

With the MC Drive and a finer phono analogue system, a few selected audiophiles will now be allowed to enjoy the most picturesque and unprecedented performance of the phono analogue music for their life time.

ANTIPHON SYNTHESIS DAC SPECIFICATION